Rummel Summer League Preview (Part 2)

Summer League season has arrived as players will put their AAU squads on the back-burner to re-unite with their high school teams throughout the month. There are a handful of summer leagues taking place in the New Orleans area and the Rummel Summer League has a solid group of teams that should make for some interesting matchups starting May 31.

Here’s what to look out for from five of the 10 teams that will take the court every Tuesday and Thursday in the month of June, and take a look at the other five teams in Part 1 of the Rummel Summer League preview, which will focus on Rummel, Holy Cross, Jesuit, St. Paul’s and Shaw.

Riverside

Riverside has established itself as a mainstay among the state’s best teams with Timmy Byrd at the helm. The Rebels will likely take at least a bit of a step back, however, after losing Alabama signee Jared Butler along with key seniors Jeremiah Bigham, Jalen Banks, Jordan Loving and lockdown defender Garland Robertson. There are always players ready to assume new roles for Riverside, though, and this year’s team will lean on 2019 guards Isaiah Bigham and Kash Foley, and 2021 PG Gage Larvadain could be in for a big season as well.

Country Day

Country Day is sure to be one of the top teams in Division III once again after advancing to the semifinals last season. They lost just one key contributor in PG Clinton Nicholas but have a ton of talent returning including 2019 PG Kaleb Jenkins, 2019 forwards Ross Talbot and Christian Becnel and 2020 guards Justin Ibieta and Shawn Royal. With Riverside restocking their roster, the Cajuns will be the favorite in the district and one of the top teams in the New Orleans area.

Bonnabel

Bonnabel is looking to continue its recent success that included a trip to the Class 5A quarterfinals last season and a title appearance in 2016-17. The Bruins have all the tools to be a force once again in 5A with Mitchell joining the team alongside 2019 PG Rodney Munson. Both have scorer’s mentalities and their challenge will be making sure to keep their teammates involved. They have a strong supporting cast surrounding them including 6’7” F Will Allen, who could be the best young big in the area, along with 2021 PG Theo Johnson and 2020 G/F Jonathan Brock.

Lusher

Lusher advanced to the Division III semifinals last year marking a milestone in the program’s history. The Lions lost a key piece in 2018 F Rylan Theyard but have a good nucleus of players returning. 2019 G Corey Madison is a good shooter and scorer who likely will lead the way for the Lions next to 2019 PG Myles Johnson, 2019 F Ian Kirsch and 2020 F Cameron Williams.

Chalmette

Chalmette is still rebuilding after a graduating a deep 2017 class that included star center Mitchell Robinson, who’s projected by many to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NBA draft. The Owls had a young group last year with just one senior contributing, and they’re likely to show at least a bit of improvement from last year’s 5-26 record. 2020 F Tedrick Williams was able to find a way to put the ball in the basket at times last year and he should be one of the team’s top scorers this season as well.